Electric steam irons



1, 1965 T. G. GREGORY 3,203,121

ELECTRIC STEAM IRONS Filed April 22, 1963 IN ENTOR.

THURLOW G GREGORY United States Patent 3,203,121 ELECTRIC STEAM IRONS Thurlow G. Gregory, 1440 W. 3rd St., Cleveland Heights, Ohio Filed Apr. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 274,651 1 Claim. (Cl. 38-77) This invention relates to hand-propelled electric irons operative to hand iron cloth and clothing.

More specifically, this invention relates to an improved accelerator means which embraces an improved flowwater-pipe structure which is a part of the improved flow-water pipe portion of an electric iron.

This improved pipe structure of the accelerator portion of the iron comprises a flow-water intake valve, flow-water pipe means, a closed-bottom steam generator chamber of the flash type supported in the iron and a conventional sprinkler means at the front of the iron, the opening for the exit from the iron of steam which is formed in the closed-bottom steam generator chamber of the iron being above the fiat ironing surface of the sole plate of the iron when the iron is in ironing position, the exit from the iron of the steam which is generated in the closed-bottom steam generator chamber being through the conventional sprinkler means at the front of the iron. The herein described accelerator means may be employed in a dry sprinkle iron and also in a sprinkle steam iron, as well as in a combination of both types in the same iron, all of which said irons are embraced in the broad term hand propelled electric sprinkle iron.

In the drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts. Some conventional details are not shown in the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic drawing, partly in section, with certain operating details not shown, of one embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic drawing of a portion of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an electric iron which is convertible into a dry iron, a dry sprinkle iron, a steam iron and a steam and sprinkle iron for simultaneously steam and sprinkle ironing in which 11 denotes a water-storage reservoir, 12 denotes the heating element of the iron; 13 denotes a conventional open-bottom steam generator chamber; 14 denotes the bottom portion of the iron which has the smooth fiat surface for pressing while hot, it being designated herein as the sole plate and it is also designated herein as the flat ironing plate of the iron. 15 denotes a hole through which water drops one drop at a time from water-storage reservoir 11; 16 denotes holes in and through the sole plate of the iron through which steam flows from the open-bottom steam generator chamber; 17 denotes the part of the iron through which water may be poured by hand as from a pitcher or water glass into water reservoir 11 and it also denotes the facility for opening and closing the entry; 18 denotes a dual-purpose flexible conveyor pipe for conveying an electric wire means and water conveyor pipe; 19 denotes the electric wire means to convey flowing electric current in a circuit to heat the iron; 20 denotes the external hollow flexible rubber or like pipe to convey water from a remote outside source (not shown) to a round or other shape pipe means 22; 21 denotes that the flexible electric wire portion and the hollow flexible water conveyor pipe diverge at or within the iron, the electric wire continuing on to the electric heating element 12 and the hollow water conveyor pipe 20 or a metallic extension thereof operatively connected to the pipe means 22; 26 denotes an optional auxiliary valve means which, due to the weight of the iron, shuts off the flow of inbound water when the iron is set upright on its rear end;

27 denotes an optional thumb screw valve or snap button valve of conventional type which is operative to stop the flow of water either partially or fully through the flow-water intake means of which that valve is a part, pipe 22 being operatively connected to this flow-water intake means; 29 denotes a conventional control and gauge for regulation of the heat of the iron; 38 denotes a control valve of conventional type to open and close orifice 49 and to open and close pipe means 22; number 39 denotes a conventional spray-sprinkle on-and-otf button or valve; 40 denotes water in the reservoir; 41 denotes steam which is generated in the open-bottom steam generator chamber; 46 denotes drops of water dropping from water reservoir 11 into hot open-bottom steam generator chamber 13; 47 denotes by-pass pipes by means of which water flows from pipe means 22 and enters directly into open-bottom steam generator chamber 13; 48 denotes drops of by-pass water which have come directly from pipe means 22 into open-bottom steam generator chamber 13; 49 denotes the orifice by which water from pipe means 22 enters pipes 47; 50 denotes a conventional sprinkler means; 51 denotes sprinkle water; 52 denotes one form of the closed-bottom steam generator chamber of this invention; 53 denotes a valve of conventional type whereby a part of the sprinkle water of pipe 22 enters closed-bottom steam generator chamber 52; 54 denotes the steam exit means whereby steam generated in closed-bottom chamber 52 is emitted from that chamber; 55 denotes an optional pop valve of conventional type for emergent exit of excess steam; 56 denotes an option-a1 pipe portion of pipe means 22 through which all of the water of pipe 22 flows, the exit opening of this means 56 being larger than the intake opening thereof, the purpose of this optional portion being to convert pressured flow-water into trickle flow-water if such conversion is desired; 57 denotes a multiple water valve of conventional type communicating between the flow-water pipe structure which communicates with the open-bottom steam generator chamber and the pipe structure which communicates with the closed-bottom steam generator chamber through which said flow-water of the iron can flow simultaneously into both steam generator chambers of the iron for simultaneous sprinkling and steam ironing with the iron, it also being operative to cut otf the flowwater of the iron entirely at that point or to direct the flow-water into either the pipe structure of the openbottom steam generator chamber or into the pipe structure of the closed-bottom steam generator chamber; 58 denotes the body portion of the iron and 59 denotes the handle of the iron; 62 denotes a conventional control means Within the handle portion of the iron, this said means communicating between control button 39 and control valve 57; 64 denotes a conventional control means within the handle portion of the iron, this said means communicating between control button 38 and valve 53.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssectional view through orifice 49 of FIGURE 1 in which 47 denotes a portion of by-pass pipes which said pipes optionally may pass by, through or around water storage reservoir 11 and closed-bottom steam generator chamber 52 by means of which water can flow from pipe 22 directly into open-bottom steam generator chamber 13; 49 denotes the orifice by means of which water from pipe means 22 can enter pipes 47; 50 denotes a conventional sprinkler head; 52 denotes the closed-bottom steam generator chamber; 53 denotes a valve through which a part of the sprinkle water from pipe 22 can enter closedbottom steam generator chamber 52; S4 denotes the steam-exit means whereby steam generated in closedbottom steam chamber 52 is emitted from that chamber when the accelerator means of the iron is in use; 55

denotes a conventional pop valve; 57 denotes a valve of conventional type by means of which flow Water of pipe 22 can flow through orifice 49 into open-bottom steam generator chamber 13 through by-pass pipes 47 and, when desired, a part of this flow water of pipe 22 can flow forward through pipe 22 and can flow simultaneously through valve 53 into closed-bottom steam generator chamber 52 while yet a further portion of this flow water of pipe 22 can pass on to and through sprinkler means 50; 59 denotes a fragmentary portion of the handle of the iron at the front end of the iron; 60 denotes a pipe within the handle portion of the iron which pipe communicates between intake means 17 and water storage reservoir 11; 61 denotes that water hand poured into intake means 17 at the front end of the iron passes through body portion 58 by means of pipe 60 and enters directly into water storage reservoir 11 and does not enter closed-bottom steam generator chamber 52; 62 denotes a conventional control means Within the handle portion of the iron, this said means communicating between control button 39 and control valve 57; 64 denotes a conventional control means within the handle portion of the iron, this said means communicating between control button 38 and control valve 53.

An object of this invention is to provide an accelerator means made of steel or equivalent heat resistant material which said accelerator means is a part of the metallic or equivalent heat resistant pipe structure of a handpropelld electric iron, the said accelerator means being movable with the iron when the iron is hand propelled, the accelerator means being operative to provide, when desired, acceleration of the conversion of a part of the flow-water of the iron into sprinkle water form.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby a part of the herein described sprinkle water which enters the iron as trickle water is used as sprinkle water and another part of this sprinkle water is converted into steam which said steam accelerates the conversion of the sprinkle water into improved sprinkle water form and gives it impetus from the iron to cloth which is being ironed and to accomplish this without the employment of a pump means.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby flow water which enters a steam iron in trickle water form from a remote water supply source is converted into a continuous supply, when desired, of an ample quantity of sprinkle water in an improved sprinkle water form and also to provide from that trickle water an ample supply of steam for the steam iron part of the iron, thereby to enable the user of a hand propelled electric iron to employ trickle water when desired and to steam iron and to sprinkle simultaneously for long periods of time without lessening the quantity of the steam or disturbing the evenness of flow of the steam which is emitted through the flat ironing surface of the sole plate of the iron.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pipe structure of an iron whereby a part of the water which is piped to the iron is piped to the sprinkler means of the iron for employment as sprinkle water, a part of this water being piped in the form of water to the conven tional sprinkler means where it passes through the sprinkler means and is used as sprinkle water and another part of the water which passes through the sprinkler means priorly enters a hot closed-bottom steam generator chamber where it expands into the form of steam and quickly builds up pressure within the closed-bottom steam generator chamber and is subsequently emitted through the conventional sprinkler means at the front of the iron which said steam joins with the sprinkle Water portion at a point adjacent the sprinkler means and accelerates the conversion of the sprinkle water portion of the flow-water of the iron into improved sprinkle water form and gives it impetus forward from the front of the iron to cloth which is being ironed and still another part of the water which enters the iron by means of the flow-water intake means adjacent the rear of the iron flows through the pipe structure of the iron into an open-bottom steam generator chamber which is supported in the iron Where it is converted into additional steam which is emitted through steam exit means which extend through the sole plate of the iron onto cloth which is under the iron and a valve means of conventional type which makes it possible for a user of the iron to, when desired, simultaneously sprinkle iron and steam iron for long periods of time with the same iron without the employment of a pump means even though the water which flows to the iron is trickle water.

The preferred employment of this invention is in a hand-propelled steam iron of conventional type though this invention is not limited to employment in that form of hand-propelled electric iron.

In a steam iron which contains the herein described accelerator means with its closed-bottom steam generator chamber, another steam generator chamber which is of conventional flash type and which said chamber is designated herein as an open-bottom steam generator chamber is supported in the iron. By this is meant that there are two different forms of steam generator chambers of the flash type supported in the same steam iron, each of these respective forms of steam generator chambers having a function which is distinct from the other but which cooperate by means of a multiple valve of conventional type to make possible one or more of the objectives of this invention.

By means of the herein described improved pipe structure and the cooperation of the parts of the improved structure, it becomes possible, when desired, to sprinkle iron and steam iron either separately or simultaneously with trickle flow water without the employment of a pump means. While the employment of trickle flow water is preferred, it is not essential that the flow-water which flows to the iron of this invention be trickle water. The flow water usually is piped to the iron from a conventional remote water supply source which is removed a considerable distance from the iron. The conversion of flow water into sprinkle form is accelerated. As a rule, this sprinkle Water does not enter into a conventional self-contained water-storage reservoir of an iron. This sprinkle water is propelled through an opening at the front of the iron being propelled to the cloth which is being ironed, the steam which accelerates the formation of the water into improved sprinkle water form and propels the sprinkle water not having been in a self-contained water storage reservoir of an iron. By this is meant that neither the sprinkle water nor the steam of the herein described accelerator means has been in a conventional self-contained water storage reservoir of an iron or in a conventional open-bottom flash steam generator chamber of an iron.

It is common practice for the electricity which heats hand-propelled electric irons now in use, as well as the irons of this invention, to flow in and out of the iron by means of an insulated electric wire termed a cord. This cord usually is attached to or near to the top of the iron and positioned towards the back of the iron. When hand-poured water is employed in a self-contained water storage reservoir of an electric steam iron, this water is poured into the iron through an entry means which is at or near to the front of the iron. These conventional irons contain two principal compartments within the body of the iron, these being a water-storage reservoir and an open-bottom steam generator compartment. The compartment within the iron which holds the stored water supply is positioned above the openbottom steam generator chamber which said open-bottom steam generator chamber is positioned above the thick heated fiat ironing portion of the body of the iron.

Usually this thick heated bottom portion of the iron forms a part of the hot open-bottom steam generator chamber. One small opening usually is provided relatively near to the front of the iron for water to drop one drop at a time from the self-contained water supply storage reservoir down into and upon the inside of the hot steam generator chamber portion of the iron, this water being there converted into steam in this hot open-bottom steam generator chamber. The steam so generated within the open-bottom steam generator chamber within the iron, whether this steam is formed from water from the self-contained water supply storage reservoir of the iron just now described or from by-pass water as described in my issued United States Patent No. 3,061,958, is emited through holes which are in and through the bottom of the hot iron while this hot metal face of the iron is in contact with and is moved backward and forward upon cloth being ironed. In the interest of brevity, much of the detailed matter in that designated issued patent which is applicable to the irons of this invention is not repeated herein.

The flow-water of pipe means 22 of FIGURE 1 which passes through valve 53 has two functions. The function of one part of that water is to pass through sprinkler means 59 as sprinkle water and sprinkle the cloth which is being ironed. In some instances, the communication means for the passage of this portion of this water may be merely a hole, if so desired. The function of the other part of the water which passes through valve 53 is to enter the closed-bottom steam generator chamber 52 of the accelerator means where it is converted almost instantaneously into steam by the heat of the hot iron. This steam quickly builds up pressure in the closed bottom chamber, rushes through escape means 54, joins with the sprinkle water and rushes onward therewith to sprinkler means 50 at the front of the iron where it breaks up this flow-water at an accelerated pace into improved sprinkle water form and propels it forward to the cloth which is being ironed.

The flow water which enters the iron through intake means 22 has, when desired, an additional function to the two already shown for the operation of the sprinkler means, this additional function being for a part of this flow water to enter open-bottom steam generator chamber 13 by means of by-pass pipes 47 where it is converted into additional steam 41 which is emitted from the bottom of the iron through steam exit means 16 which extend through the sole plate of the iron.

The means for the entry of the water into the closedbottom steam generator chamber may be a single opening or a multiplicity of openings.

Some of the annoyances to the operators of sprinkle dry irons and sprinkle steam irons now in use are: (1) Water hand poured into the iron is limited in quantity by the size of the self-contained water-storage reservoir of the iron. Such reservoirs must be small in size due to the limitations imposed by the small physical size of the irons. These irons must be hand filled frequently. (2) Trickle water piped to the iron does not break up into adequate sprinkle form. (3) Trickle water is not projected adequately from the front of the iron onto cloth which is being ironed unless a pump means is employed. (4) Pressured water which reaches the iron by means of public water pressure is diflicult to control with suflicient accuracy due to variations in pressure which often occur at dilferent periods of the day when other tenants of a building or other members of the same family in a building use water at the same time from the same water supply. (5) An iron attached to a household water faucet monopolizes that faucet. An iron equipped with the accelerator means of this invention enables the operator of the iron to overcome all of these annoyances.

By such expressions as closed-bottom steam generator chamber when employed herein is meant that there is not any opening or like means whereby steam or water from the closed-bottom steam generator chamber of the iron can pass through the bottom of the flat ironing plate of the bottom of the iron. Steam which leaves the closedbottom steam generator chamber is emitted from the iron at the front of the iron through the pipe structure by which the sprinkler water leaves the iron.

The total water which comprises the water in sprinkle or spray form and the water which is converted into steam to accelerate the formation of the sprinkle water are embraced in the term sprinkle water of the iron.

By the term operatively connected is meant that the pipe of the pipe structure of the iron is connected in a conventional manner which is operative for the flow of the flow-water or for the flow of steam for the purposes herein shown.

The term steam iron employed herein means for the purposes of this invention a hand-propelled electric iron within which steam is generated within the iron, this said steam being subsequently emitted through the sole plate of that iron.

A consideration of the detailed description given in the above disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown make clear the objects and advantages of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:

A hand-propelled steam and sprinkle iron having a front portion and a flat ironing surface comprising a sole plate, a heating element in said iron adjacent said sole plate, an open-bottom steam generator chamber formed between said sole plate and the heating element, a manually fillable water reservoir supported in said iron positioned above said open-bottom steam generator chamber, means communicating between said water reservoir and said open-bottom steam generator chamber to allow water to enter said open-bottom chamber and form steam, flow-water intake means formed in the rear of said iron, a flow-water pipe structure constructed of heat resistant material operatively connected with said intake means, the said flow-water pipe structure including a by pass pipe portion which by-passes the water storage reservoir and extends to and opens into said open-bottom steam generator chamber to provide said open-bottom steam generator chamber with a continuous supply of water which is formable into additional steam, and outlet means communicating between said open-bottom steam generator chamber and said sole plate to direct steam onto material being ironed, the flow-water pipe structure of the iron also comprising a sprinkle water pipe portion of like material operatively connected thereto by a water valve and located above the fiat ironing surface, which said sprinkle water pipe structure comprises the said water valve, a sprinkler means positioned at the front of the iron above the fiat ironing surface of the iron, a sprinkle pipe portion above the flat ironing surface of the iron communicating between the water valve and the sprinkler means for the conveyance of sprinkler water in flow-water form, the said sprinkler means opening forward from the iron, a closed-bottom steam generator chamber supported in the iron between the water valve and the sprinkler means into which a part of the piped sprinkle water of the iron can flow and form additional steam, a flowwater pipe means communicating between the sprinklewater pipe structure and the closed-bottom steam generator chamber, steam exit means communicating between the closed-bottom steam generator chamber and the sprinkle water pipe structure at a point adjacent the sprinkler means through which steam can flow to accelerate the formation of flow-Water of the iron into sprinkle Water form and propel the sprinkle Water forward upon material being ironed, a Water valve communicating between the by-pass pipe portion of the open-bottom steam generator and the flow-Water pipe means of the closedbottom steam generator through which flow-Water of the iron can flow simultaneously into both steam generator chambers of the iron for simultaneous sprinkling and steam ironing.

References Cite by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Hoecker 3877 Sardeson 38'77 Gregory 3877 Ehrmann et a1. 38--77 X Hoecker 38--77 10 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. 

